A system for backscatter-based cooperative communication in a wireless-powered heterogeneous network includes a low-power access point, a hybrid access point, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The low-power access point transmits an unmodulated carrier. The hybrid access point is in communication with a primary device using a signal. Internet of Things (IoT) devices harvest energy of the unmodulated carrier and the signal, and each of the IoT devices sequentially transmits information to the hybrid access point through a bistatic backscatter communication-based cooperation mode or non-cooperation mode using the harvested energy.